Electrical connecting device



ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE Filed July 13. 1925 INVENTOR WMM nrokmsr Patented Sept. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE J'OHANN G. PETERSON, OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ELECTRICAL CONNECTING DEVICE Application filed July 13,

to be applied in an improved manner to the cap member of any such device, and to prov i e an improved combination of strain rehevmg means and cap whereby the strain relieving device is both readily and very sesurely connectible to and also readily disconnectible from the cap and conductors. Still further objects are to provide an improved construction wherein the insulating prong carrying end of an attachment plug cap or the like is not only efiectually enclosed and armored in such an improved manner as to withstand abuse which otherwise would break the same and expose the terminals of the com tacts, but wherein also improved means are provided for connecting the enclosing and armoring means to the cap and cable and interlocking the parts against relative rotation in such manner as markedly to increase the strength and utility of the device as a whole. 1 These and other objects of my invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown, for purposes of illustration, one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice. i

In this drawing,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an attachment plug cap equipped with this embodiment of the invention, the cooperating plug being indicated in dotted lines a Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cap with. the parts separated;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partially in "section, of the cap equippedwith the strain relieving means;

Fig. 4 is a plan view ofa ring, and

Fig. 5 is a cross section of a ring.

1925. Serial N0. 43,123.

As shown, the illustrative device is applied to a standard form of shallow or flat, generally semi-spherical cap or body, as 2, made of some insulating material as common in the art. This body 2 also has attached to it pro- 5 jecting contacts in the form of prongs or spurs, as 3 and 4, adapted to enter usual openings in a cooperating connecting plug indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 Also, the

parts 3 and 4 herein-have terminal flanges M fitted flatwise against the body 2 and receiving screws, as 5, the heads of which bind conductors or wires 6 to the heads of the spurs 3 and 4, the wires 6 being branches of a cable 7 which extend through a central opening in on the spherical portion ofthe body 2, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The body 2 herein fits within a ring 8, the

latter being furnished with a flange QWhlCll I engages with a corresponding annular groove I,

on the body, herein indicated at 10. Herein the body of the ring or annular member 8 also has in it horizontally opposite slots, as 12, to receive the feet 13 of legs 14 which constitute the branches of a clamping mem- 75 ber, the outer end of which fits around the i'cable or cord 7. This clamping member has screws 15 by which it may be maintained closed as shown in Fig. 3. Here it will also be noted that the body 2 is provided with 8 oppositely located vertical slots 16 opposite the slots 12 and adapted to permit the insere tion and removal of the feet 13, as may be desired. Thus it will be evident that the ring 8 is capable of being disposed with its flange 85 9 seated in the groove 10 on the member 2, while the legs 14: extend down through the slots 16 inside the ring 8 and their feet 13 extend laterally out through the slots 12.

It will also be noted that the upper ends of 90 the members 14 are adapted to be connected together by the screws 15 in such manner as to form a connection which, while enabling the member 2 to be pulled out by a pull on the conductor 7, effectually removes strain from the binding posts 5 and their wire connections 6.

Ifit is desired to open the structure when in use, as to permit repairs, it is only necessary to release the screws 15 slightly, which re- 13 in such manner as to enable the cable to pass through the central aperture in the body 2 as necessary, following which the screws115 may be again tightened. Thus it will be noted that a very convenient adjusting means is provided, the legs 14 in efi'ect forming hinges moving about their feet 13and being adjusted by the rotation of the clamping screws in either direction. Since, in the ordinary case,

it is unnecessary for the screws to be removed in order to release the cable 7 sufficiently, or in order to provide for the free passage of a cable to be connected to the plug termlnals, it will also be noted that all necessity for handling the screws, and'consequently possibly dropping the same, is obviated. Herein, how-- ever, it is also always possible, where necessary, to remove the screws completely and swing the legs back clear out of position and thus, if desired, remove the device quickly for use on another'plug or socket.

It will also be noted that due to the passage of the legs 14 through the' slots 16, relative rotation of the cap and ring 8 is prevented while the screws 15 and the legs 14 also act to prevent relative rotation between the cap and the cable 7. Moreover, through the provision of the ring 8, herein having a seat or flange 9 thereon, a simple, quick longitudinal assembly of the ring and cap is made possible,

, while through the projecting legs on the ring,

it is made possible for the cap to be inserted from above the rin between these legs which can" then be moved into cable clamping position and retain the cap in pl ce. It will also be noted that through the 0 operation of the ring 8, legs 14 and screws 15, no further connection of the ring 8 to the cap is required the legs 14, when the screws 15 aretightened, herein acting to clamp the ring 8 in its longitudinall'y abutting relation and also automatically releasing it when they are released.

In the preferred construction illustrated, it

will also be observed that the ring. 8 is efiectually insulated from the connections inside,

the cap bythe inner depending flange formed by providing the groove 10. It will also be noted that the ring 8 serves to armor the inner end of the plug in such manner as to prevent breakage tending to expose the contact connections. In thisconnection it will also.be observed that the flange 9 performs the double function of acting as a support for the plug and of a strengthening'means for the ring, while the location of this flange also enables it to assist in the 'armoring function.

rugged character of the whole construction, and the fact that it is capable of being provided at small expense. These and other advantages will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

Attention is directed to the'fact that while my invention is illustrated in connection with an attachment plug, it is not limited to use with such a device, and may be used in various other relations, as, for example, with lam sockets or caps, and also modified as regar its structure, all without departing 'from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims. v

What I claim is:

1. A' strain relieving device for electric plugs having cable connections comprising a plug receiving member having plug seating tive longitudinal movement with an electric attachment cap or the like and forming a seat for the inner end thereof and also carrying pivot forming attachment means, and a plurality of connectable cable engaging pivoted members for connecting said annular member to a cap and pivotally engaging said pivot forming means and movable about the same toward and from a cable.

3. A connecting device for electric attachment caps or the like comprising a cap seat ing member carrying abutment means engageable with an inner cap body and also having slots therein, and a plurality of cooperating cable and'member clamping means having feet movable therewith and entering said slots. 4. In combination, an electric attachment cap, a one piece supporting device therefor having abutment means abutting longitudinally against said cap and also'having pivot means, and a cable engaging device engageable with a cable above said cap and hav ng legs pivotally connected to said pivot means. 5. In combination, a cap having slots thereinadjacent its inner end, an annular member engaging the inner end of said cap and supporting said cap, and cable engaging members having portions extending into said slots and pivotally connected to said annular member.

6. In combination, a cap having slots therein and an annular groove, a ring having a V Attention is also directed to the simple and: into aid Slots and feet extending through carrying a laterally projecting supporting no I foot at one of its ends and at its opposite end having a clamping portion adapted to engage a cable and projecting in an opposite direction from said foot.

8. In a strain relieving device for plugs, lamp sockets, caps or the like, a plurality of leg members having deflected body portions intermediate their ends disposable outside an attachment cap or the like, and carrying sup-a porting means in the form of laterally projecting feet at one of their ends'and at their other ends having cable engaging portions and screw means connecting said portions, and abutment means engageable endwise with an attachment cap or the like and clamped thereto by said leg members, presenting pivot forming apertures into which said feet extend.

9. A strain relieving attachmentcomprising a ring adapted to receive a device endf wise through one end thereof and carrying projecting connectable prong means outwardly projecting from one end thereof for clamping said ring to said device and also having longitudinally displaced at its opposite end and on its inner periphery inwardly projecting abutment means for said device.

10. A strain relieving attachment for electrically connected devices comprising a ring 30 adapted to receive a device endwise through one end thereof, said ring having on its opposite end inwardly projecting abutment means for said device on the inner periphery of the latter end, and also having projecting connectable prong means disposable around the device and connectable to a cable and having projecting portions within said ring adapted to interlock with said device to inhibit rotation 6f the latter.

11. A strain relieving attachment for electrically connected devices comprising a shallow ring of substantially greater diameter than height socketed to receive the lower end of an attachment cap through one end thereof and having at its opposite end inwardly projecting abutment means on its inner periphery, and also having between its ends oppositely disposed apertures in its side wall above said abutment means.

12. In a strain relieving-device, a shallow cap having contact prongs projecting from its lower end. and an annular groove on its lower end providing an abutment above its 55 under surface adapted to engage abutment means on an enclosing member, and aid cap also having meansforming slots in its body above said abutment adapted to receive cable clamping means on said enclosing member, and an enclosing'member enclosing the lower end of said cap and having abutment means and cable clamping means thereon co-operating with said abut ant and slots.

13. A connecting device for electric de vices comprising an insulating body carry- F ing contacts and having "provision for connecting a cable thereto, an annular member receiving the body and furnished with slots, and clamping members disposable around said body having feet pivotally mounted in the slots and provided with cable clamping heads heads. a

14. A strain relieving attachment for electric connecting devices comprising a supporting member adapted to receive a cap upon relative longitudinal movement of the latter from above and engaging therewith, said member being furnished with attachment apertures, and clamping members having feet movable therewith extending outward in said apertures and having heads on their opposite ends connectable together to a cable above a cap.

15. In a strain relieving device for electric attachment caps or the like, a body having an abutting portion forming a seat therein for the inner end of a contact carrying cap, said body also having means for enclosing and armoring .the contact carrying extremity of a cap, and also carrying thereon a plurality of cable clamping members connectable together beyond a cap and a contact carrying cap seated on said abutting portion and positioned by said clamping members and having its contacts projecting beyond said enclosing and armoring means.

16. The combination with an attachment cap carrying projecting. contacts and having a laterally projecting portion, of astrain relieving device for said cap comprising a body having an abutting portion for said laterally projecting portion, means on said body enclosing and armoring the contact carrying extremity of said cap, and a plu rality of cable clamping members on said body connectable to a cable beyond said cap, and means for preventing relative rotation between said cap and body.

17. The combination with an attachment cap carrying projecting contacts and having a laterally projecting portion and an insulating flange surrounding the contact ter- Ininals, of a strain relieving device for. said cap comprising a body having an abutting portion for said laterally projecting portion, means on said body enclosing and armoring said flange and insulated thereby from said terminals, and a plurality of cable clamping members on said body connectable to a cable beyond said cap, and means for preventing 18. A strain removing device for electric plugs or the like presenting a one piece memher having a body abutting portion engageable upon relative longitudinal movement with the body of the plug and carrying thereon a plurality of separate pivoted cable enand screws adjustably fitted in said i relative rotation between said cap and body.

gaging members extending outwardly therefrom, said members carrying cable clamping means on their outer ends and being movable 19. A strain relieving device for electrically connected devices including abutment means adapted to abut the end of a cap upon longitudinal movement of one relative to the other and having connectable cable engaging members projecting outwardly therefrom conncctable together to clamp a cable at a point beyond said cap and movable when released, about said abutment means to permit the removal of a cap and the substitution of another cap. 1

20. The combination with a cap having contact spurs projecting from one end thereof and adapted to have a cable extending through the opposite end thereof and connected to said spurs, of a strain relieving device having abutment means engaging and armoring the end of the cap from which said spurs project and also having a plurality of connectable cable clamping members for connecting said means to said cable con- 7 nectable together upon said cable beyond said cap.

21. The combination with a cap having contact spurs projecting from-one end thereof and adapted to have a cable extending through the opposite end thereof and connected to said spurs, of a strain relieving device having abutment means engaging and armoring the end of the cap from which said spurs project and also having a plurality of connectable cable clamping members for connecting said means tosaid cable connectable together upon said cable beyond said cap, and means co-operating with one or more of said members for preventing relative rotation between said cap and strain relieving device.

22. The" combination with a cap having contacts engageable from one end thereof and adapted to have a cable extending through the opposite end thereof and connected to said contacts, said cap having a depending flange surrounding its free end and an abutment means atthe base of said flange and adjacent said free'end, of a strain relieving device comprising a member having co-operating abutment means forming a seat therein for said first mentioned abutment means on the cap, said member also enclosing and armoring the inner end of the cap body while insulated from said connections by said first mentioned flange, and cable clamping members on said member extending around the cap and adapted to clamp the cable beyond said cap.

23. The combination with a cap having contact spurs projecting from one end thereof and adapted to have a cable extending through the opposite end thereof and connected to said spurs, said cap having a depending flange surrounding said connections, abutment means at the base of said flange closely adjacent the spur carrying end of said cap, and means forming slots in the sides of said cap above said abutment means, of a strain relieving device comprisinga member providing co-operating abutment means engaging said first mentioned abutment means, said member also enclosingand armoring the inner end of the cap body while insulated from said connections by said first mentioned flange, and cable clamping members on said member extending through said slots and around the cap and adapted to clamp the cable beyond said cap.

24. A connecting device for attachment caps having electric cable connections, presenting an annular member sooketed to receive a cap and adapted to abut a cap longitudinally, and cable engaging connectable members projecting from said annular member and pivotally connected to the latter for reverse movements relative to a cap to clamp said annular member to a cap and permit free removal of the cap. a

25. In 'a connecting device for attachment caps having electric cable connections, an annular member sooketed to receive a cap and carrying abutment means adapted to abut against a cap, and co-operating cable engaging means for clamping said member to a cap having portions inside said annular member providing means adapted to interlock with a cap and interengaging pivotally with said member and also having co-operating connectable cable clamping portions on their opposite ends.

26. A combined strain relieving and armoring attachment for electric attachment caps comprising a' member having a seat therein for the inner end of a cap body and a body portion extending longitudinally from said seat along the cap body and formingan armored sheath for the innerend of the latter, said member having a plurality of projecting'connectable cable clamping portions thereon initially spaceable to permit the insertion of a cap from above said seat and movable relative to said member into connectable cable engaging position above the cap after itscinsertion therein.

27. In combination, a combined strain relieving and armoring attachment for electric attachment caps comprising a member shrouding the inner end of a cap and having a seat for the latter therein, said member carrying a plurality of projecting connectable cable clamping portions thereon initially spaceable to permit the insertion of a cap from above said seat and movable relative to said member when acap is seated on said seat, into connectable cable clamping position above said cap, and a cap seated in said member and having its inner end armored thereby and also means forming slots through which said cable clamping portions extend ioc against relative rotation.

28. In a strain relieving device for electric attachment caps, the combination of a cap carrying projecting contacts and having aconnected cable, an armoring member socketed to receive said cap upon a longitudinal movement of the latter into the socket and armoring the contact 'carrying end of the cap and having abutment means engaging that end of the cap, means for clamping said armoring member and cable against relative longitudinal movement, and an interlock between a portion of said means and the cap for preventing rotation of the latter.

29. In a strain relieving device for electric attachment caps, the combination of a cap carrying projecting contacts and adapted to have a cable connected thereto, an armoring member socketed to receive said cap upon a longitudinal movement of the latter into the socket and armoring the contact carrying end of the cap and having abutment means;

engaging that end of the cap, means for clamping said armoring member and cap against relative longitudinal movement with respect to a cable connected to said cap, and an interlock between a portion of said means and the cap for preventing rotation of the latter, said armoring member also enclosing said interlock.

30. In a strain relieving device for electric attachment caps, the combination of an armoring member socketed to receive the cap upon a longitudinal movement of the latter into the socket and armoring the contact carrying end of the cap, a cap therein having means forming slots in said cap, and connectable cable clamping members for connecting said armoring member to a cable connected to said cap and having portions disposed in said slots and adjustable therein as the cable is clamped or released.

31. In a strain relieving device for electric attachment caps, the combination of an armoring member socketed to receive the cap upon a longitudinal movement of the latter into a socket, and having means for armoring the contact carrying end of the cap, a

cap in said armoring member having means forming slots in said cap, and also carrying projecting contacts and having an axial 'cable aperture and terminal connections for said contacts, and connectable cable clamping members for connecting said armoring mem-' her to a cable when the latter is connected to said cap, and having portions disposed in said slots co-operating with the latter in preventing relative rotation of said clamping members and cap and adjustable in said slots as the cabl is clamped or released.

In testimony whereof I- aflix my signature.

J OHANN G. PETERSON. 

